EU Clean Industrial Deal sparks mixed reactions
A step in the right direction for some, “far from clean” for others: the EU’s recently announced Clean Industrial Deal has caused mixed reactions among industry and sustainability leaders.
The European Commission presented a plan to mobilise €100 billion to accelerate clean tech adoption and increase demand for EU-made decarbonised manufacturing products this week.
The Clean Industrial Deal includes financial support for clean tech, the addition of sustainability criteria in public procurement, as well as a voluntary carbon intensity label and a 24% circularity target.
Green fuels and circularity: Clean Industrial deal doesn’t go far enough
The deal was broadly welcomed by industrial associations. Think tank Future Cleantech Architects called it “a step forward for European industries’ transition and competitiveness”. Anne Steffensen, Director General and CEO of Danish Shipping, said the commission is “focusing on exactly the right areas: competitiveness and green transition”, but doesn’t go far enough to support the development of green fuels.
“It is very positive that there is an emphasis on the production of green technology and green fuels within the EU. However, I need to see concrete plans for a massive scaling up of green fuel production. Without green fuels to power our ships, we will never achieve our goal of climate-neutral shipping,” she added.
For the EU Raw Materials Coalition, the deal is “ambitious” but falls short on circular economy and self-sufficiency. While it includes a Circular Economy Act meant to be adopted in 2026 with the goal of achieving circularity on 24% of critical materials by 2030, the plan “overemphasizes recycling while neglecting waste prevention, repair, and sufficiency measures—which must come first,” the organisation said.
Sustainability leaders slam the deal
On the sustainability side, however, most organisations have criticised the initiative. Carbon Market Watch, expressed disappointment that the deal does not include a legislative proposal for a 2040 climate target, and suggested that it does more to support big polluters than to tackle climate change.
“Although it is certainly industrial, it is far from clean,” said Carbon Market Watch’s Executive Director Sabine Frank.
The NGO also criticised the lack of clear safeguards around the use of carbon capture removals for industrial decarbonisation.
At the European Environmental Bureau too, the deal is seen as benefiting industrial polluters more than sustainable goals. “The so-called ‘Clean’ Industry Deal focuses on decarbonisation but overlooks broader pollution and environmental responsibility, failing to show how the EU can lead by example. Meanwhile, fossil-fuel-reliant industries that resisted change for decades have secured a front-row seat in shaping this deal. It’s alarming that the Commission claims the deal is ‘directly tailored’ to the ‘needs’ outlined in the Antwerp Declaration—a manifesto written by polluters, for polluters. EU industry is far more than just energy-intensive sectors, yet their interests are being placed front and centre,” warned Christian Schaible, Head of Zero Pollution Industry at the EEB.
Member discussion